Stelar Metals Ltd (ASX:SLB) has kicked off exploration activity at its new Trident Lithium Project near the New South Wales mining centre of Broken Hill, with the acquisition of high-resolution airborne geophysics in collaboration with SensOre Ltd (ASX:S3N).
The Trident Lithium Project covers the highly-prospective 15-kilometre-long Euriowie Tin Pegmatite Field, known for its potential for hard-rock lithium mineralisation.
Mapped pegmatites in the area have been reported to reach widths of up to 100 metres and lengths exceeding 1 kilometre.
Previous mining and exploration efforts have confirmed the presence of lithium minerals in pegmatite outcrops, with high-grade lithium assays in rock-chip samples confirming lithium-rich LCT-type pegmatite classification.
Test site
Stelar Metals and SensOre have chosen the Trident Lithium Project as a test area given its known lithium mineralisation.
Thompson Aviation has been enlisted to collect high-resolution airborne magnetics and 256-channel radiometrics data for the project.
The survey will cover about 2,000-line kilometres, with east-west flight lines spaced 40 metres apart and north-south tie lines at 400-metre intervals.
This survey will not only focus on the known lithium-bearing pegmatite mines at Trident, Sceptre, Lady Dom and Triumph but will also cover the entire Euriowie Tin Pegmatite Field, resulting in an additional 1,573-line kilometres of survey acquisition.
“I am excited to commence exploration activity on Stelar’s new Trident Lithium Project in NSW, and the decision to extend coverage of high-resolution geophysics over the lithium-rich Euriowie Pegmatite field will no doubt provide a strong foundation for expanding our lithium exploration programs over this prospective area,” Stelar Metals chief executive officer Colin Skidmore said.
Trident Lithium Project showing airborne magnetics and radiometric survey areas.
New techniques
The SensOre project, which comes under the NSW Government’s $130 million Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Activation Fund, will investigate new approaches to remote sensing and targeting spodumene mineral-bearing lithium, caesium and tantalum (LCT) pegmatites in the state.
The collaboration with Stelar Metals will involve collecting airborne geophysical data, including radiometrics capable of directly detecting Caesium 137, will assist in mapping the distribution, morphology, and orientation of the pegmatites.
SensOre intends to employ comprehensive whole-rock geochemistry of granitic rocks, along with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology approaches, to predict and identify high-lithium-bearing pegmatites.
Next steps
Thompson Aviation is expected to deliver the final geophysical data to SensOre in mid-June, which will be further processed to map the potential distribution of lithium.
SensOre will also compile historic geochemical and geological datasets for integration and AI learning.
Meanwhile, Stelar will begin seeking drilling approvals with the NSW regulators this quarter with the aim to commence an initial drilling program in the third quarter.